<snip>

The water had hit the deck but not quite all the way to their loungers. “Save some of the pool water for everyone else, won’t you?” Sam called over to Huzzen.

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

Navale paused and twisted in the water to see who had shouted at her. She spotted Sam and she grinned wider. “I don’t see you using it. If you want to share then get in here!” She flipped in the water, going under and swam toward the far end of the pool.

“Hmmm,” he said loudly, tapping a finger on his chin as if puzzling over a great debate.

John raised an eyebrow and watched as Huzzen dove and landed in the pool. He wasn’t going to lie she certainly was attractive. No John, you can’t. Not after what happened last time. He sighed to himself as he sipped his drink. He turned to Sam again, more for a distraction than anything else.
“So Sam, how did a Chief Petty Officer end up owning a fancy bar?” He asked, trying not to look over to the Engineer.

Lt. John McCandless, Head Nurse

Reaching the end, she pulled herself out at the ladder and then strode to the otherside, and the marked lanes. She sliced into the water again.

Lt. Huzzen, Engineer

“Well, I don’t own it since it’s the ship’s lounge, but I have the privilege of managing everything about it. Captain Myqian has graciously given me a lot of leeway to do as I see fit,” Sam said, trying to not be distracted by the woman cutting through the water with such elegance. “But uh, after I retired I still liked the idea of being around Starfleet and took up bartending. A bit strange after being an engineer perhaps, but I always liked cooking and making drinks. Serving them to people and making conversation just makes for a nice day a lot of the time.”

As he spoke he was trying to come up with something to say to Navale next.

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

John nodded as he listened to Sam, he noticed him glancing over towards Navale.
“It is quite the leap for an Engineer. Although they do say that cooking is a bit of a science.” He then nodded towards Navale.
“You and her have something going on eh?” He asked with a grin.

Lt. John McCandless, Head Nurse

“You might be able to call it something,” Sam said, a smile tugging at his lips again. “Or at least there was the openness to something. No sure what will happen.” He looked at John. “I’ve always loved that temporary place. The anticipation of what might be, but no certainty about any of it. Always a little thrilling.”

John chuckled. “Aye, I know what you mean. That’s a little too unknowing for me. I like to know where I stand.” He replied.

“As for the food, I come by it naturally. That and I got to sample cuisines from all over when I was enlisted.”

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

John nodded.
“Do you have any specialities? Anything I should try next time I come by the lounge?” He asked.

Lt John McCandless, Head Nurse

“Well, cocktails with unusual ingredients are becoming my favourite. And I like making desserts. But if you give me a dish you love and if I don’t know it, I love researching and exprimenting with trying to make it.

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

John nodded with a smile.
“I’ll have to think of something challenging for you then.”

“How’s your Key lime pie?” Brad asked, taking another sip of his bourbon.

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

“Ohh, a challenge!” Sam said with a smile. “Haven’t made one before, but I’ve made other custard type pies before, so give me a chance to try it out and then I’ll make one for you.”

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

“I look forward to it,” Brad said, offering a salute with his glass. “It’s my favorite dessert, and I only grew to love it more when I got to go to the Keys on spring break my second year at the Academy.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

“Can’t beat a good Key lime pie. What about pecan pie? That’s one of my favourites. Maybe we could do a pastry party one day?” John suggested.

Lt. John McCandless (Head Nurse)

Sam snapped his fingers and pointed at John. “Now that sounds like a great idea. Anytime I can host social stuff in the lounge is good for morale.”

For a moment his tipped his face up to the sky and soaked in the sun. “But I will say that as much as I love being in space, it’s so very nice to be in real weather. There’s only so much the holodeck can do. Though I guess I’ve never been able to surrender my mind to the illusion as some others can. Downside of knowing intricately how it works.”

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

“Not to mention, the vitamins,” Brad chimed in. “There’s only so much we can do on ship to stimulate Vitamin D3 production the way natural sunlight does.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff